Kilauea explodes again

The Associated Press

Published Saturday, April 12, 2008

VOLCANO, Hawaii -- Kilauea Volcano has exploded again. Officials say a small explosion that sent rocks more than 200 feet up onto the rim of the volcano's main Halemaumau crater occurred Wednesday night, hours before the park reopened.

The park was evacuated because of elevated sulfur dioxide emissions.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the blast at Halemaumau crater was much smaller than a similar explosion in March, but still enlarged the new vent in the wall of the crater about 15 to 30 feet.

Scientists say they found lava splatters and rocks ejected by the blast, which also contained volcanic glass shards.

They say there is increasing evidence that molten lava is collecting about 300 to 600 feet below the new vent.